Page 43 of Jace

"If you take a seat, I'll get it wrapped up."

Walking back toward the chair, I think she is about to sit down, but right before straddling the chair, she drops her shirt. I look down.

"Oh please, Jace," she laughs. "You've seen my tits more in the last year than anyone else has."

I hear someone clear their throat and glance toward the door, finding Oliver standing in the doorway, Zac just behind him.

"Hey guys," Kimberly purses her lips, sitting in the chair, giving me her back and not caring that she was just on display.

I look from the guys to her, and then back to the guys. Neither one of them looks pleased.

Instead of making this a bigger deal about what just took place, I add the wrap on her back and before she can stand up, I spin my chair around and keep my back to her while she gets dressed.

Offering her the care instructions, she laughs telling me that she's got them all memorized by now. I know the minute she leaves I'll get some kind of lecture. One I don't need but will allow them to give.

Several hoursand a few clients later I walk up the front steps of my place. Unlocking the door I step inside and find the house is quiet. Only a lamp in the living room is on and the television playing low.Removing my shoes, I set them off to the side and as I round the end of the couch I see her.

Dark hair, wild and crazy, piled on top of her head in a chaotic mess.

The soft sounds of her breathing become louder the closer I get. A cute hmm soundevery time she exhales makes me smile. It is a sound I've grown accustomed to, hearing it in my ear nightly since she came home from the hospital. Like the hum of my gun as I am tattooing someone, I find her noises just as comforting.

Taking my place on the floor next to the couch, I drag my finger over the side of her face. Seeing the corner of her mouth twitch I wait for her to wake and she doesn’t.

Standing, I lean over and place a gentle kiss to her forehead, breathing in the scent of her shampoo.

Making my way to the bathroom, I reach in flipping on the shower and start to undress. I never pictured my bathroom full of a bunch of girlie shit. Make-up, lotions, perfumes and so much more, but Ror has pretty much taken over my space. Nothing about that fact terrifies me but instead settles me more.

Allowing myself to fall into a routine, allowing myself to enjoy the idea of her always being there, they are all things I count on now.

Things I look forward to.

Things I never want to lose.

Stepping in beneath the warm water, I quickly wash my hair and body, before flipping off the water and pulling aside the shower curtain. Surprised to find Aurora sitting on the edge of the sink, waiting for me.

“Hey,” I towel off and notice the way she looks over me as I do.

“Hi,” she offers in return as her gaze reconnects with mine. “How was Kimberly today?”

And there it is. The downfall of having such a tight knit group. Luna and Aurora are close. Which means she probably knew all about Kimberly and the situation before she was even in her car after she left the shop.

Wrapping the towel around my waist, I start to move across the bathroom toward her and place one hand on the sink on each side of her. My face only inches from hers.

“She was the same as she always is.” She holds my stare. “Over the top, seeking attention,” I step in a little closer. “Attention I wasn’t willing to offer.”

“You have before,” Aurora arches a brow and all I can do is offer her a nod in return. “What is different now?”

“I have you,” I don’t hesitate. “I know what I want, and I have no intentions of losing what I’ve got. It took me too damn long to figure my shit out, I’m here, with you. I’m exactly where I want to be.”

Ror holds my stare and I lean a little closer kissing her lips.

“I love you,” she immediately looks down, but I place my finger under her chin forcing her to look back up at me. “Don’t hide from me.”

“I’m not.”

“You are,” I interrupt her, cupping the sides of her face with my hands. “I’m in this with you,” eventually she nods, accepting my words.

And again I’m left waiting and wanting to hear three words from her. Three words I know she doesn’t give freely. Knowing that I have to earn them after giving her so much doubt in the past.

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